Unutilized cruise ships and riverboats are being used to provide housing for refugees fleeing Ukraine. Several companies offer ships free of charge.
Ukrainian refugees offered housing on cruise ships and riverboats
Europe is scrambling to deal with the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Ukraine. The latest figures indicate that over ten million people have been forced to flee their homes. Most of these people are still in Ukraine but close to four million of them have crossed the border into Europe. This number is only expected to grow in the coming weeks.
This has pushed governments and aid organizations to find housing solutions. Many thousands of refugees have found shelter in hotels and in private homes. This poses a serious problem for hotel owners as summer bookings may need to be cancelled.
One promising solution is to house refugees on cruise ships. This sector is just starting to recover from covid restrictions and still has a large number of unused vessels. Cruise ships are highly suitable to house refugees as they have a full range of amenities on board.
Cruise ships offer help
Several cruise ship companies have indicated they are willing to help with temporary accommodation during this crisis. Carnival Corporation has offered the Costa Magica to the Italian government to serve as a reception point for Ukrainians arriving in Italy. This ship has been unused since the pandemic begun and is currently operated by Costa Cruises.
The company has offered to provide the staff required to run the ship and supply meals to the refugees. They have already donated medical supplies to provision the ship’s health service center. This will provide a haven for approximately 3,500 people. With 65,000 Ukrainians in Italy thus far there is still a pressing need for more temporary housing.
Another company that has repurposed one of their idle vessels for refugees is AmaWaterways. This river-cruise ship is based in the Netherlands and is currently docked in Amsterdam. Together with another vessel they are providing housing and meals.
The Estonian government has requested bids for shipping companies to provide accommodation for some of the 22,000 Ukrainian refugees that have arrived in their country. These ships will provide long term housing options and reduce the number of refugees currently staying in hotels.
Several proposals have been submitted, most notably from the Estonian cruise-ferry operator Tallink. As so many of the refugees are children the Social Ministry is planning to repurpose the cruise ship conference rooms into schools.
Free transport services
Polish company Polferries has been assisting refugees by providing free transport to Sweden which is as valuable to them as apuestas de futbol Chile wins. This state-owned ferry service has already helped over 6,000 Ukrainians. On the return trips they are bringing vital humanitarian aid back from Sweden. This has included a huge collection of toy animals for the refugee children.
Other cruise companies that have contributed to the crisis include AIDA Cruises and Costa Crociere. Both groups have donated 100,000 euros to assist with refugee projects in Germany and Italy.
As more Ukrainians flee their country the refugee crisis in Europe is likely to grow over the next few weeks. Hopefully this collaboration between cruise ship companies and European governments can provide a long-term solution to house these displaced people.
